Marine Forces Reserve creating a new command in New Orleans

Force Headquarters Group, the command element for six force-level Marine units, was activated two weeks ago. Marine Forces Reserve will host a ceremony marking the activation in Algiers on Monday.

Marine Forces Reserve on Monday will ceremonially activate the Force Headquarters Group, a new command based in New Orleans that will oversee six reserve force-level units. Force Headquarters Group, as it's called, will be located at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, the 29-acre compound in Algiers adjacent to the Federal City.

Brett Duke/The Times-PicayuneMarine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos speaks to a crowd last year at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, in Algiers, when Lt. Gen. Steven Hummer became command of Marine Forces Reserve.

It will bring to four the number of major subordinate commands that fall under Marine Forces Reserve, and it will bring to five the number of Marine Corps general officers whose military jobs are based in New Orleans.

While the new command will bring a bit more prestige to New Orleans, it will not result in additional jobs - or a loss of jobs. Its creation follows a Marine Corps-wide structure review that began in September 2010.

Force Headquarters Group was activated July 18 and assumed administrative and operational control over the 3rd and 4th Civil Affairs Groups, the 3rd and 4th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Companies, the Intelligence Support Battalion and the 6th Communications Battalions, the Marines said in a press release this afternoon.

It also will mark the group's first command change. Maj. Gen. Tracy Garrett, appointed to oversee the activation, will hand over command to Brig. Gen. Paul Lebidine, who is being promoted to the general officer rank this weekend.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Sprague will be the group's senior enlisted member. A combat-seasoned Marine who served in Iraq, Sprague previously served as command sergeant major for the Marine Air Group 49 detachment at the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base in Belle Chasse.

Force Headquarters Group joins the 4th Marine Division, the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing and the 4th Marine Logistics Group as the four major commands under Marine Forces Reserve. Each is led by a general officer, all but Hummer being reservists who reside elsewhere.

Paul Purpura can be reached at 504.826.3791 or ppurpura@timespicayune.com.